Temporary vehicle markings

ABSTRACT

Identification means for vehicles, the identification means comprising indicia bearing panels with rigidifying slats adapted for temporary mounting on vehicle roofs, trunk deck lids, hoods, or the like, by adjustable straps.

' {72] Inventor:

United States Patent Smith [54] TEMPORARY VEHICLE MARKINGS George E.Smith, Box 354, River Avenue, Island Heights, NJ. 08732 [22] Filed: June9, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 44,703

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No.855,478, Sept.

5, 1969, abandoned.

[52] US. Cl. ..40/l29 C [51] Int. Cl. ..G09f 7/00 [58] Field ofSearch....40/l0, 10 A, 10 B, 129, 129 C [56] References Cited UNITEDSTATES PATENTS [451 Oct.31,1972

2,078,183 4/1937 Ray ..40/129 C 2,620,579 12/1952 Dienes ..40/129 C3,461,584 8/1969 Wilson ..40/129 C Primary Examiner-Jerome SchnallAssistant Examiner-Wenceslao J. Contreras Attorney-Robert G. McMorrow[57] ABSTRACT Identification means for vehicles, the identificationmeans comprising indicia bearing panels with rigidifying slats adaptedfor temporary mounting on vehicle roofs, trunk deck lids, hoods, or thelike, by adjustable straps.

3 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTEUHB I972 3.701. 210

SHEET 1 [IF 3 (3201205 E.SMITH W mYYkYWm ATTORNEY P'A'TENTED um 3 1 I872SHEET 2 BF 3 INVENTOR. Georzoe E. SMlTH ATTORNEY PATENTED mm 3 1 m2SHEEI 3 BF 3 INVENTOR. GEORGE E. 5714/ FIG.

TEMPORARY VEHICLE MARKINGS CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION Thisapplication is a continuation-in-part of my prior application Ser. No.855,478, filed Sept. 5, 1969, and now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Patent No. Patentee Issue Date 1,942,444OConnor Jan. 9, 1934 2,836,914 Nelson June 3, 1958 3,208,173 Shank Sept.28, 1965 3,225,475 Shank Dec. 28, 1965 Such devices, while useful inadvertising displays and the like, do not provide for effective overheadidentification. Moreover, these devices do not, due to air resistance,permit high speed operation of a vehicle when in place.

SUMMARY THE INVENTION The present invention provides readily attachedand detached temporary markings for vehicle roofs. A prin cipalenvironment of intended usage concerns the temporary marking ofotherwise unmarked vehicles used in law enforcement, whereby policeunits may be identified from the air when a vehicle is in use incoordinated air-ground search activities. In such circumstances of use,it is necessary, for obvious reasons, that the device be adapted forvery rapid mounting and dismounting, and that is be storable in minimumspace when not in use.

An important objective of this invention concerns the provision ofvehicle marking means which are stable and reliable, and which are notlikely to be displaced even in high speed operation of vehicles. To thisend, the invention provides identification markings having main fabricpanels, and having rigidifying edge slats at the sides and, in oneembodiment, at a leading edge thereof, and associated strap means whichhold the slats in place in a new and novel arrangement.

Yet another object is to provide strap tightening means whereby themarkings are rapidly and effectively mounted on the vehicle andtightened into operating positions.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art upon a consideration of thefollowing specification when read in conjunction with the annexeddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing avehicle with a first form of temporary identification means according tothis invention in place thereon;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of portions of the components ofthe invention, foreshortened for clarity of illustration;

FIG. 3 is a further prespective view of the components in assembledcondition;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, transverse cross-sectional view takensubstantially on line 4-4 of FIG. 3, looking in the direction of thearrows;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, foreshortened sectional view on line 55 of FIG.3, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a second form of theinvention;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, foreshortened plan view ofa form of the inventionshown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view showing the strap tighteningmeans of the second form of the invention;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially on line 9-9 ofFIG. 7, looking in the direction of the arrows; and

FIG. 10 shows an optional mounting position of the apparatus of FIGS. 6through 9.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 5 of the drawings in more detail, a firstform of identification means for temporary marking of an otherwiseunmarked vehicle is therein identified by reference numeral 12. Theassembly 12 includes a main panel element 14 formed of a suitablefabric. Preferably, the fabric is of a relatively durable type such ascanvas, nylon, or the like, and it may be coated with a substance suchas vinyl on one or more of its surfaces. The outer surface 16 of themain panel 14 has numerals 18 or other indicia thereon, and the numeralsand surrounding surface are of contrasting colors whereby the numeralsare clearly visible from extended distances. It will be understood thatletters or other types of identification may be substituted for thenumerals where required. I

The'panel 14 has side portions 20, 22, and leading and trailing endportions 24, 26, respectively. Each of the side and end portions isreverted, and the reverted portions are stitched or otherwise secured tothe main panel, as at 28. Thus, each of the side and end portions has aflattened, tubular sleeve formed by such reversion and stitching. Thesleeves each define a passageway, and the passageways are open at theirends, as indicated at 30 in the drawings.

Longitudinal slat means comprising elongated, substantially rigid slatmembers 32, 34 are disposed in the sleeves of the side portions 22, 24,respectively, and it will be observed in FIG. 3 that these slats haveforward ends 36, 38 which project forwardly of the sleeves. The slatsare rather tightly engaged in the sleeves, and are maintained in placetherein frictionally, being removable for replacement if necessary bythe application of force to the end portions thereof. A forward slat 40is similarly disposed in the sleeve of the leading end portion 24 whenthe device is roof mounted. The slat 40 is of a length such that itsends overlie the forward ends 36 and 38 of the side slats. The sleeve ofthe rear end portion is preferably without a slat, although in somecircumstances, it may be desirable to so incorporated a slat therein.

The slats may be formed of wood, light metal, or any similar material.

Each of the slats serves a rigidifying function, and the overlapping ofthe ends of the side slats by the forward slat further serves as a meansto prevent wind deflection and/or flapping of the panel when the vehicleis in motion.

As a further means of accomplishing the foregoing objectives, and as aconnection means for mounting of the device in place on a vehicle, strapmeans 42 and 44 are operatively associated with the forward and trailingend portions, respectively, of the panel. Each of the strap means isidentical, and only one is therefore described in detail. The strapmeans comprise an elongated main strap 46 of heavy web material or thelike, having a first end 48 extending through a slot 50 in a bracket 52,and being sewn upon itself to effect connection of the bracket thereto.The bracket is metallic and is coated with a flexible substance as at 54to avoid damage to the vehicle finish. The opposite end 56 of the strap46 extends through a slide member 58 and is sewn or otherwise securedupon itself to retain said connection. Extending through the .slidemember is a supplementary strap 60 having a buckle 62 of conventionalform at one end and having a free end 64. The free end 64 is extendedthrough a slot 66 in a second end connection bracket 68, having asimilarly coated lip portion 70, and the freeend is therein engaged withthe buckle 62.

The main extents of the straps 46 are disposed within the sleeve leadingand trailing portions of the main panel, The straps overlie and pressagainst the slats, and the slat ends, thereby fixedly positioning theelements in place when in use.

In the use of the first form of the apparatus, the coated lip portionsof the connectors engage the vehicle rain gutter 72 on each side of thevehicle roof. In view of the provision of a supplementary strap fortightening and loosening purposes, the mounting of the assembly isreadily accomplished, and the panel tightly engaged in place with only asingle application of force to the free end of the supplementary strapwhen extended through the first portion of the buckle.

in FIGS. 6 through 9, a second form of the invention, designated 12ashown. The identification means 12a comprises a flat fabric panel 14apreferably formed of material having a water resistant coating ofplastic or the like on its outer surface 160. Numerals 18a attached tosaid outer surface are luminous or other outstanding, readily viewedmaterial. In an illustrative example, the surface 16a may be of lightyellow color, while the numerals 18a are of luminous red, thereby makingthe indicia readily perceivable, even from a helicopter or airplane.

The panel 14a has side portions 20a, 22a, and leading and trailing endportions 24a, 26a, each of which is reverted beneath the main panel andjoined thereto by lines of stitching 28a. As in the first form of theinvention, this procedure produces tubular sleeves at the sides and endsof the panel, each defining a passageway. Flap elements 100, 102 aremounted adjacent the ends of the side portions 20a, 22a, and have thefemale portion 104 of a snap fastener thereon. The male portions 106 arefixed on the outer surface 16a, and as best shown in FIG. 9, the flaps100 and 102 may be folded about the otherwise open ends of the sidepassageways on portions 20a and 22a to thereby close the same. I

In the second form 12a of the invention, the device is provided withside slat means comprising a pair of longitudinally extending,elongated, rectangular slat members 32a, 34a, removably mounted in thepassageways of the portions 20a and 22a. The slats are retained in thepassageways principally by the flaps'100 and 102. The ends of thepassageways and the leading and trailing portions are closed, inasmuchas these passageways do not have slats therein, and adjacent therespective ends of the said portions, the panel l4a has slits 108therein. Reinforcing members 110, formed of leather or the like, andhaving slits corresponding in location to the slits 108, are attached tothe surface 16a of 'the panel 14a by stitching or other suitable means.

Straps means 42a and 44a are provided for the leading and trailingportions of the panel, each being identical in construction, andextending through the passageways of the leading and trailing endportions. Straps each include a main strap 46a extending through thepassageways and out the slit means over the reinforcing members andhaving first'ends 48a extended through a slot 50a in a metallic bracket52a; When thus engaged with the brackets, the ends are both stitched andriveted in place to effect a permanent connection. The operative end 56aof the main strap is engaged with a strap tightening buckle 112 of apreviously known type, which includes a tubed engaging member 114 biasedby a spring 116 to a position adjacent a forward bight member 118, andpivotal therefrom by compression of the member against the action of thespring. A supplementary strap 600 has a free end 640 extended about thebight member 118, and is connected with a second bracket 68a in the samemanner that the end 480 of the main strap is connected to the bracket52a.

in FIG. 6, the apparatus 12a is shown in position on the trunk deck lid120 of an otherwise unmarked police cruiser or the like, while in FIG.10, the device is engaged on the hood 122 of such a vehicle. Both thehood and the trunk deck lids have side edges with which the brackets 52aand 68a engage. When preliminarily connected with said edges, the ends64a of the supplementary straps may be pulled through the buckles 112 ina strap tightening direction. However, due to action of the spring andteeth of the member 114, the strap is held at the position in which itis placed by pulling until the'member 114 is pivoted against the springto permit release of the strap. It will be noted that this permits avery rapid application of a number to the selected vehicle body area.

.1 claim:

1. A temporary means for aerial identification of a vehicle having upperprising:

an indicia bearing panel of rectangular form and of an area ofsufficient size to extend over a substantial portion of one of saidvehicle upper body sections;

the panel being flexible and having an exposed fabric side with abackground color and being provided with indicia of a color contrastingthe background color of said side whereby the indicia is readilyobservable;

body sections, the means com the panel having side portions and leadingand trailing end portions, said portions being reverted and beingattached to the side opposite said fabric side to provide sleevesadjacent the outer edges of the panel;

the side portion sleeves being open at their leading ends and eachhaving an elongated side portion slat disposed therein and extendingsubstantially the full length of the side portion, each of said sideportion slats having a forward end and a rear end;

at least the leading end portion sleeve being closed at its ends andhaving an elongated, rigid end portion slat therein with ends extendedover the forward ends of the side portion slats;

the end portion sleeves having slits therein; and

a pair of straps extending respectively through said end portion sleevesand passing through said slits, one of said straps being engaged overthe end portion slat and over the forward ends of the side portionslats, and the other of said straps being extended over the rear ends ofthe side portion slats.

2. The invention of claim 1, wherein:

the strap means each comprise an elongated main strap having oppositeends;

one of the ends of the main strap being directly connected to a firstend of the connector; and

adjustment means comprising a supplementary strap of loop form includinga movable buckle, interposed between the other end of the main strap anda second end connector,

3. The invention of claim 1, wherein:

the strap means each comprise an elongated main strap having oppositeends;

one of the ends of the main strap being directly connected to a firstend of the connector; and

adjustment means comprising a supplementary strap of loop form includinga movable buckle, interposed between the other end of the main strap anda second end connector.

1. A temporary means for aerial identification of a vehicle having upperbody sections, the means comprising: an indicia bearing panel ofrectangular form and of an area of sufficient size to extend over asubstantial portion of one of said vehicle upper body sections; thepanel being flexible and having an exposed fabric side with a backgroundcolor and being provided with indicia of a color contrasting thebackground color of said side whereby the indicia is readily observable;the panel having side portions and leading and trailing end portions,said portions being reverted and being attached to the side oppositesaid fabric side to provide sleeves adjacent the outer edges of thepanel; the side portion sleeves being open at their leading ends andeach having an elongated side portion slat disposed therein andextending substantially the full length of the side portion, each ofsaid side portion slats having a forward end and a rear end; at leastthe leading end portion sleeve being closed at its ends and having anelongated, rigid end portion slat therein with ends extended over theforward ends of the side portion slats; the end portion sleeves havingslits therein; and a pair of straps extending respectively through saidend portion sleeves and passing through said slits, one of said strapsbeing engaged over the end portion slat and over the forward ends of theside portion slats, and the other of said straps being extended over therear ends of the side portion slats.
 2. The invention of claim 1,wherein: the strap means each comprise an elongated main strap havingopposite ends; one of the ends of the main strap being directlyconnected to a first end of the connector; and adjustment meanscomprising a supplementary strap of loop form including a movablebuckle, interposed between the other end of the main strap and a secondend connector.
 3. The invention of claim 1, wherein: the strap meanseach comprise an elongated main strap having opposite ends; one of theends of the main strap being directly connected to a first end of theconnector; and adjustment means comprising a supplementary strap of loopform including a movable buckle, interposed between the other end of themain strap and a second end connector.